I think that I like the idea of these awards. Instead of just praising the Websites, this award actually looks at who is behind them. Running into its 9th annual competition, I will be interested to see how this turns out for those involved.

The Web Marketing Association is pleased to announce the call for entries for its 9th annual WebAward Competition (www.2005webaward.org), the Internet’s premier award competition that judges website development against an ever increasing Internet standard of excellence and against peer sites within an industry. The WebAward Competition recognizes the individual and team achievement of web professionals who create and maintain outstanding corporate web sites. The deadline for entry is June 1, 2004.

“The WebAwards is different from other website award programs because we recognize the talented individuals and development teams as well as the Website itself,” said William Rice, President of the Web Marketing Association. “Winning has meant personal recognition for the people behind the site and a great marketing opportunity for the Website itself. That is the goal of the WebAward Competition - to provide a forum to recognize the people and organizations responsible for developing some of the most effective websites on the Net today.

A complete list of past winners and the entry form for companies who wish to compete for 2005 honors can be found at www.2005webaward.org

Web sites are judged on design, innovation, content, technology, interactivity, navigation and ease of use. Each WebAward entry is judged against other entries in its industry category and then against an overall standard of excellence. A Best of Industry WebAward, a handsome plaque with the image of the winning site embossed, will be given in each of the 90 industry categories, including financial services, medical, small business, travel, advertising, transportation, and government. New categories for this year include Healthcare Providers, Medical Equipment, Fashion and Technology.

The competition’s highest honor, the 2005 WebAward Best of Show, will be given to the one site that the judges believe represents the pinnacle of outstanding achievement in Web development. Last year’s Best of Show winner was Arc Worldwide (www.arcww.com) for their work on Behr Paint Interactive.

The Web Marketing Association will also recognize the interactive agency winning the most awards in the competition with the Top Interactive Agency WebAward. The 2004 Top Agency award was presented to Arnold Worldwide (www.arnoldworldwide.com) for their many outstanding achievements in Web site development.

Judging for the WebAwards will take place in July and August, and winners will be announced in September 2005. Judges will consist of a select group of Internet professionals who have direct experience designing and managing corporate web sites –including members of the media, advertising executives, site designers, content providers and webmasters – with an in-depth understanding of the current state-of-the-art in Web site design and technology. Past Web Marketing Association WebAward competition judges have included top executives from leading corporations, institutions and media organizations such as Ogilvy Interactive, Saatchi & Saatchi, Blattner Brunner, Comedy Central, Sun Microsystems, Refinery, Euro RSCG, EPB Interactive, New York Post Interactive, The Cincinnati Enquirer, J. Walter Thompson, Xerox, Art Institute of Pittsburgh, Modem Media, Answerthink, and Zentropy Partners. [Get the links]